Flat-top desk



C. M. OLSEN. FLAT TOP DESK.

1,358,980, Pat ented Nov. 16, 1920.

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FLAT-TOP DESK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Application filed July 21, 1919. Serial No. 312,118.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL MARIUS OLSEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flat-Top Desks, of which the following is a specification.

14y invention relates to new and useful improvements in flat top desks, and has for its object the provision of a flat top desk having a roll top and coiiperating side rails.

Another object is the provision of a flat top desk having a roll top which is invisible when inoperative.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is perspective view of a desk embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a desk embodying my invention showing roll top in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a desk embodying my invention showing roll top in inoperative position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on sub stantially line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

The approved form of construction consists of a flat top desk 5 which is provided with a roll top 6, this roll top 6 being constructed of the usual material and assembled in the usual manner as the ordinary roll top for a desk. Coiiperating with roll top 6 and engaging the ends of the member 6 are side rails 7 which are slidably mounted in slots provided in the upper surface of the desk 5. The side rails 7 are each provided with a slot 7 in which the ends of the member 6 slidably engage. An elongated slot 8 is provided longitudinally in the upper surface of the desk 5. The roll top 6 is slidably mounted in the slot 8. The width of the slot 8 is of substantially the same dimensions, as the width of the member 8' which forms the front board or rail of the roll top 6, so that the member 8 is snugly receivable in the slot 8. The rail 9 of thedesk 5 is bifurcated at its inner end to form the two portions 10 and 11. Positioned adjacent the back of'the desk 5 extending longitudinally thereof so as to lie in the space which, in the ordinary desk 6, is found between the back wall of the desk and the inner end of the drawers is a block 12. A slot 13 is provided in the member 12 for the reception of the roll top 6. The upper end of the slot 13 is flared as shown in Fig. 2 to afford a ready and accurate reception of the member 6 therein. As shown, the lower end of the slot 13 is curved so as to register with the space 14 which lies between the members 10 and 11. It is evident that upon rolling the roll top 6 back that the ends will slide in the slots 7 which are provided in the side rails 7. It is also evident that the roll top 6 will slide in slots 13 and 14 and assume the position shown in Fig. 3.

Rotatably mounted upon the side walls of the desk 5 are pinions 15. Mounted in desk 5 adjacent the side walls thereof is a rack bar 16 having provided on its upper edge teeth 17 which are adapted to be constantly in mesh with the pinions 15. A vertically extending rack bar 18 having teeth 19 constantly in mesh with the pinions 15, is securely mounted to a plate 21, the upper end of the bar 18 at which the connection with the plate 21 is made being turned at right angles to form an L-shaped member 20 as shown in Fig. 4. The member 21 is securely fastened by suitable fastening means 22 to the side rails 7. A groove 23 is provided in the member 7 where each of the plates 21 are fastened. In the construction which I have shown, two rack bars 18 with two sets of cooperating parts have been mounted on each side rail but the number of these rack bars and cooperating parts may vary depending upon the length of the side rails. Projecting inwardly from the end of the rack bar 16 which lies adjacent the front wall of the desk 5 is an arm 24 to which is rigidly secured a spring catch member 25 which projects at right angles to the arm 24 and lies in the space which separates the members 10 and 11. A slot 26 is provided in the member 11 in which the member 25 lies when the top 6 is raised.

In lowering the roll top 6 the same is moved backwardly in the manner of the usual roll top, the end 6 engaging in the slots 13 and 14. As the process of moving the roll top back continues, the end 6 will move along the slot 14 until striking the member 24. Further movement of the roll top backwardly will cause the end 6 to carry the member 24 along in the space between the members 10 and 11. member 24 will be carried toward the front of the desk. The member 24 beingrigidly connected with the rack bar 16 will cause" device is intended to be so constructed thatv the side rails 7 will be drawn within the desk 5; the upper surface of the side rails 7 lying flush with the upper surface of the desk 5 at the same time that the roll top 6 disappears within the desk, the roll top lying flush with the upper surface of the desk thereby filling the slot 8. v

By this construction a roll top is provided on a flat'top desk which when inoperative, leaves the upper surface of the desk unobstructed. It is also apparent that the length of the drawers need not be shortened to provide space for the roll top when folded back or when inoperative. I am aware that a roll top has been provided for a flat top desk but such construction either necessitates a shortening of the drawers or a mounting of obstructions upon the upper surface of the desk. lVhen the roll top is inoperative or folded back, the position assumed is that shown in Fig. The surface of the memher 8 which then lies flush with the upper surface of the desk 5, is provided with a handle set in a groove. Means are thus afforded for grasping the roll top in order to raise it to operative position. The member 25, when the roll top is rolled to inoperative position, because of the curved construction of the same is caused to flex, downwardly. As shown, the free end is formed curved or in the shape of a hook and upon being flexed downwardly engages in a slot 27 which is provided in roll top 6. Upon the raising of the roll top, the member 2st and the rack bar 16 are carried rearward inasmuch as the member 25 is immovably secured in the slot 27. The movement of the rack bar 16 in this direction would cause a rotation of the pinions 15 with a consequent raising of the side rails 7 into operative position. hen themember 25 again registers with the slot 26 the slidable movement of the rack bar 16 will cease as will'be readily understood. l

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variationand' modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore. do not wish to be limited to the precise details of the construction set forth but desire to avail myself of such variations By this processthe.

and modifications as come within the scope a roll. top; vertically movable side rails each havingan elongated slot adapted to engage the lateral cdgesof said roll top; and means operable by said roll top for sliding said rails within said desk uponthe moving of said roll top to inoperative position, substan tially as described. V

2. I11 a fiat top desk a bifurcated rail; a roll top slidably mounted on said desk and adapted for slidable engagement between the bifurcations of said rail when inoperative; a side rail slidably mounted on said desk, the upper faces of each of said rails being adapted to lie flush with the upper surface of said desk when said roll top is inoperative, substantially as described.

8. In a flat top desk a bifurcated rail; a roll top' slidably mounted on said desk and adapted for slidable-engagement between the bifurcations of said rail when inoperative; side rails slidably mounted on'said desk, the upper faces of each of said rails being adapted to lie flush with the upper surface of said desk when said roll top is inoperative, and means of lowering said rails to inoperative position, slidably mounted in said desk and adapted to engage said roll top when inoperative, substantially as de scribed.

In combination'with a flat top desk, a roll top; bifurcated rails adapted to slidably engage said roll top when inoperative; side rails slidably mounted on said desk; raclr bars secured to and projecting downwardly from each of said rails; pinions mounted in said desk meshing with said rack bars; and 7 means adapted to rotate said pinions simultaneously with the sliding of said rolltop to inoperative position, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a flat top desk, a 7

roll top; side rails slidably mounted on said desk; pinions mounted in said desk; rack bars meshing with said pinions slidably mounted in said desk and adapted to slide in opposite directions upon the lowering or raising of said roll top; and means for lowering or raising said side rails simultaneously with the lowering or raising of said roll top, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' cam; MABIUS OLSEN. WVitnesses I V JOSHUA R. H. Poms,- V B. G. RICHARDS. V 1. 

